Ludo Aequitas, a not for profit organization has the cognitive and behavioural components to resolve the war of words between President Trump and professional players and sports people protesting during national anthem. More information about the controversial topic can be found here: www.ludoaequitas.org.

Ludo Aequitas, a not for profit organization – with its key platform the promotion of mental health and equality through sport was created to resolve the exact type of conflict which has now erupted between President Trump and the athletes of its national sports.

The anthem, flag, standing with hand over heart are symbols, gestures, that the United States uses, more than most, as symbols of respect, honour and a commitment to its values as a country and a society. There is also the matter of its constitution and the rights to free speech. The problem arises when different individuals attach different meanings to such symbols, depending on their life experiences and politics.

In recent times, sport has been asked and involved itself with a number of bio-psycho-socio-cultural issues. These include motor neurone disease, breast cancer, concussion encephalopathy, mental health, domestic violence and poverty with the aim of promoting awareness, education and change in attitudes and behaviour.

Now it is race relations and law enforcement.

Whether to kneel or to stand? Link arms or not? What are the values being debated?

Ludo Aequitas has a compromise: through the adoption of its “Ludo Creed” – a set of sporting and human values; and “Do The Ludo” – a sporting behaviour that offers an alternative to either standing or kneeling. A neutral venue for all.

Ludo Creed – is the central cognitive component to the Ludo Aequitas initiative. “We, the players representing our chosen sport, do solemnly swear to uphold the Ludo values of equality, respect, honour and fair play at all times, and denounce vilification based on Race, Colour, Sex, Age, Gender, Religion, Disability or Social Status.”

Do The Ludo – is the central behavioural component of the Ludo Aequitas initiative. It is designed to symbolise strength and defiance, pride and compassion. It can be done individually, with the right arm in the air with a clenched fist, and the left arm folded across the heart (or vice versa). Others can join in by placing their left or right arm around the shoulder of the person next to them, and their other arm again folded across the heart. In this way a “LudoLink” chain can be established either realistically or virtually.

President Trump, sports people and athletes, the fans, the owners, are all invited to “Do The Ludo” as a show of unity and mutual respect for their position.